Abortion rights group sues over Illinois campaign finance limits

An abortion rights group filed a federal lawsuit today seeking to strike down a portion of the state’s campaign finance law that limits how much donors can give to political action committees.

Personal PAC argues that the limits are unconstitutional and violate the First Amendment, citing a recentU.S. Supreme Courtcase that found expenditures independent of political candidates can’t be regulated.

The group is seeking an immediate and permanent injunction to do away with the limits, which were put in place along with Illinois first-ever limits on campaign contributions following the ouster of ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Terry Cosgrove, president and CEO of Personal PAC, said the $10,000 donation limit has meant the organization has lost out on more than $100,000 in donations it would use to support candidates who support abortion rights in Illinois.

Cosgrove's group backed Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn during his 2010 election bid. After the election, Quinn appointed Cosgrove to the Illinois Human Rights Commission.

Quinn supported the campaign finance reform, once hailing it as landmark reform despite some critics saying it fell short.